The old church, a project of the heart
Five-year renovation has returned dilapidated church to prominence
YUCAIPA - The CiRullo's laugh easily now, but when they began the renovation of the "The Old Church," as it's known in Yucaipa, it wasn't quite so funny.
Bernard and Kris CiRullo, an artistic husband and wife team, bought the old church on Bryant Street near Yucaipa Boulevard in December 2003. Kris because she had a vision of what the old, run down church could once again become. And Bernard because he relished the challenge of restoring the church to prominence.
In October 2008, they finished their project. And it looks beautiful. But what a mess the CiRullo's had on their hands when they began the renovation.
"It was such an eyesore," said Kris CiRullo. "When we started, I thought it would be easier than it turned out to be."
The church was built in 1923 and was the first, First Baptist Church in Yucaipa. But as the congregation grew over the years, it needed a new home. And slowly the church became little used. And it became a dilapidated neighborhood eyesore.
The paint peeled, the plaster was falling down, the heating and air conditioning didn't work, and the plumbing and electrical had to be replaced. And critters had long called the church home.
"It was filled with bats, bees, and rats," said Bernard CiRullo with a chuckle.
"We had to repair every square inch," Kris CiRullo added.
But now the church - officially christened "The Old Church Club," has become the pride of the neighborhood with the curious eager for a peek. "People stop by and say that they are, 'dying to see inside,'" Kris CiRullo said.
The transformation is remarkable. All 4,300 square feet of the two-story church has been renovated. The top floor has high ceilings with chandelier lighting. Daylight streams softly through 13 tall windows. The original wood lathe floor has been varnished to a sheen. And the stage - where church weddings once took place - is carpeted.
Marion and Harry Birkbeck have been married 62 years. Marion, now 83, and Harry, 89, exchanged wedding vows in the church on December 6, 1946. A black and white picture of the couple reveals a beautiful bride dressed in a long-flowing wedding gown, standing arm-in-arm with her proud, smiling husband.
"We had over 200 people at our wedding," said Marion. "The church was in good shape then. We had a little wood burning, pot bellied stove to keep us warm. They (CiRullo's) have fixed it beautifully. The floors are gorgeous again."
On the bottom floor, named, "Bernie's Lounge," the concrete floor has been stained with a bronze finish with artistic etched lines. A luxurious, white leather sofa wraps around in front of a big-screen television.
Sometime in the future Bernie's Lounge will be open to the public. But for now, the lounge is used for viewing sporting events, and for guests to relax during weddings and other events.
With the renovation finished, The Old Church Club is available for weddings, parties, memorials, and celebrations.
Although, it took five years, the results have been well worth the effort, Kris CiRullo said.
"I had this vision of what it could be like," she said. "It's a neat old church that needed to be done. This was a project that was in my heart."
For more information, call Kris CiRullo at Kris (909) 758-3133 or (909) 790-3900.
Or visit www.theoldchurchclub.com.
The Old Church Club
12142 Bryant Street
Yucaipa, CA 92399
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